I am sure she is against it. I think Mr. Forsythe purchased the 1895 at the last Legend Sale for 74K. I assume he had a bidding war with DLH. To me the price is nuts. The coin was not CAC and therefore probably a very nice 67.
However it is not included in his set at this time. I assume he has it for insurance in case anyone gets close to his score.
(impossible) (unless PCGS create 68's where there are none. )
Everyone, this is set that Laura referenced. It is truly a beautiful set of proofs. The Type III portion of the set has been nominated for PCGS Set Registry Award- Favorite Digital Album. Let’s all vote to push her set over the finish line.
This coin is a new addition to D. L. Hansen Collection. The U.S. Coins Complete Basic Set, Proof (1801-1964) is an 1145 coin set. The Hansen collection has about 300 coins remaining, so the set is approx. 75% completed. PCGS describes the set as: Every basic classic U.S. coin in Proof from 1801 through 1964, this set is the ultimate challenge. A collection of this size could take years to assemble in high grade. Hansen has been working on his collection for a little less than three years which is not bad results. This gold proof coin is a condition census 1875 Quarter Eagle. I called this coin the little sister of the four Liberty Head gold coins, quarter, half, full, and double eagles. The last coin needed for the set to be complete is the big sister Double Eagle. I will talk about her later this week.
1875 Quarter Eagle, DCAM PR65+ DCAM - Spectacular Deep Cameo Example
This specimen was purchased in last week’s Heritage Auction. The coin has a reported mintage of 20. Expert David Akers described the coin as: I would estimate that no more than half the original mintage of 20 pieces still exists in unimpaired state. Impaired proofs are readily identifiable from business strikes by the significant difference in the position of the date. On the proofs, the date is high in the field and the 5 nearly touches the bust. On the business strikes, however, the date is lower in the field and the 5 is distant from the bust. The Ullmer coin and the Wolfson coin were both erroneously catalogued as proofs when they were, in fact, business strikes.
The coin certainly fulfills its billing of being spectacular. In Heritage 2019 Long Beach Expo Signature Auction, the coin’s header description read: 1875 Liberty Quarter Eagle, PR65+ Deep Cameo Example - Classic Gold Rarity, 20 Examples Struck. The coin last appeared in the Heritage 2011 FUN Signature Auction. The coin was 1875 Quarter Eagle, PR64 Cameo with a CAC sticker that sold for $47,293. The description from last week's auction: The 1875 quarter eagle is a legendary rarity in the 19th century U.S. gold series. Collectors interested in the Coronet series are well aware of this date's rarity, whether as a circulation strike or a proof. Only 400 business strikes were produced plus another 20 proofs. Survivors in both formats are predictably low. Probably two dozen or more business strikes are extant today, a number greater than most estimates, but we know one collector who hoarded this date and 23 years ago had 18 pieces. Proofs are another matter and probably only 16 or so examples are believed extant today, including one held in the Smithsonian Institution and another in the ANS. With only 400 circulation strikes minted, all are essentially first strikes and almost all high-grade examples retain significant die polish in the fields and many resemble proofs. Confusion between business strikes and proofs was a problem years ago, but today diagnostics are known for each and prooflike circulation strikes are no longer called proofs and dull proofs are not confused with business strikes. On proof strikings the date is higher than on business strikes and the 5 nearly touches the bust. Each side of this magnificent rarity shows even reddish-gold color. The surfaces are lightly hairlined, but the only pedigree identifiers we see are a few lint marks near star 3. The sharply detailed, frosty design elements contrast profoundly with the deeply mirrored fields to create an intense cameo effect. While several high-grade proofs are known of the 1875 quarter eagle, they are infrequently offered at public auction. This particular coin was in a foreign collection for several decades before 2011 and it is likely that it is relatively unknown to the present generation of rare gold collectors. This is a rare opportunity to acquire one of the classics in the proof quarter eagle series. Population: 2 in 65 (2 in 65+) Deep Cameo, 1 finer (4/19).
The PCGS Price Guide places the value of the coin at $135,000. The coin realized $108,000 in auction. You be the judge if Hansen got a deal on the purchase. Either way, you have to love this coin.
Provenance: European Collection; FUN Signature (Heritage, 1/2011), lot 5036
In comparing to Eliasberg, his collection had an assumed graded Choice Proof, Ex: Mills Collection; Chapman (1904); Clapp Collection (1942). Sold by Bowers & Merena 1982, price that realized $18,700.
It is now official. Hansen did purchase Mr. Perfection’s LIBERTY SEATED HALF DOLLARS DATE SET, CIRCULATION STRIKES (1839-1891) set. It was a guess on my part; I finally guessed one right! If my count is correct, this is the 6th set Hansen has purchased from Mr. Perfection. As many of you know Mr. Perfection from the forum, his sets are entirely CAC coins. It is nice to see the best of these handpicked top pop coins are ending up in The Great Collection.
This is the second set that Mr. Perfection has sold in the past couple of months. The other one was his high end Liberty Head proof set that was purchased by Gerald Forsyth. I hope Mr. Perfection will be able to drop in and say a few words. Maybe he can share what he is working on and his next endeavor. I remember him saying that he is still purchasing high grade CAC coins, but just no longer building sets. Over the years he has assembled some very nice registry sets. I hope to see more in the coming months and years.
I will plan an update highlighting this purchase in the next couple days.
We have been working on a sale for many months. JB. is a very tough negotiator!
Once a I make a decision to sell something I like to get it done. I lost money on this set but so be it. Would I have realized more selling it in action after the fees and the bp? Who knows!
This purchase was a must for DLH. When we started talking about it in December the set had around 33 upgrades for DLH. All CAC of course. I think it would be difficult if not impossible for
DLH to buy a set with this many upgrades. Many of the coins were acquired eight to ten
years ago.
Seated halves are great coins. They have been soft for the last few years. For some reason Seated never developed the collector base that Bust enjoys.
I assume DLH will start a second set now. It would be nice if he kept the top set all CAC and only include the top eye appeal coins. No one will ever come close to beating this set.
@Perfection said:
Seated halves are great coins. They have been soft for the last few years. For some reason Seated never developed the collector base that Bust enjoys.
...........which to me is odd as they are more relevant to our developmental history than the "early" issues.
???
also.... they weren't stored in quantity as reserve bullion so the available coins are mostly coins used in commerce.
One thing is that CBHs just look much older than the Seated coins which were steam press struck.
As promised, this is the big sister to the pretty little quarter eagle that I posted Tuesday. This is a beauty by all accounts. I talked some about Hansen’s Proof Collection Tuesday. I will focus this discussion on the new 1875 Proof Set. Hansen purchased the quarter eagle in the Heritage 2019 Long Beach Expo last week and the double eagle came from a private transaction. With the purchase of the quarter and double eagles, Hansen has completed the Proofs for year of 1875.
The 1875 Proof set is difficult. For this date, this is what John Brush had to say: We bought the 1875 Proof $2.5 in the Heritage sale on Thursday night and followed it up with purchasing an 1875 Proof $20. It's a great date that's under-appreciated. The proof set with gold requires 14 coins. Hansen has the complete set starting with PR65CAM 20-cent piece, and ending with pair of PR67 coins. Hansen GPA for the set is PR66, and of course, he has the All-Time Finest registry set. The set contains two PCGS POP 2/0 specimens, and this last Double Eagle addition is the only PCGS POP 1/0.
This 1875 Double Eagle Proof is a rare lady. The Mintage for the date is given to be 20. David Akers comments: Proofs of this date are extremely rare. Only seven or eight still exist. Assuming no duplicates, the pop report indicates 6 have been certified by PCGS. Only two of them are DCAM, one PR66DCAM and Hansen’s PR66+DCAM specimen.
John Brush comments on the specimen: The $20 is AMAZING and is fresh to the market from a private collection. It is not often this coin appear in auction. According to PCGS auction site, 1875 Double Eagle Proof has appeared in auction 12 times since 1981. This a little less than once every three years! The auction record for an 1875 Double Eagle Proof is $166,750 for an uncertified CH PR (64) that sold in a Stack’s Laurence H. Gardner Auction in 2005. It is possible that Hansen coin could be the Gardner specimen, but I don’t know for sure. Any help someone can give on the provenance would be appreciated.
I believe this to be a recently certified coin. The coin is not on Coin Facts Condition Census report yet. Also, PCGS Price Guide has not placed a value on the coin. The PR64DCAM is valued at $180,000. I am not sure how the value of the POP 1/0 could be determined. The coin is truly amazing and a prominent addition to The Great Collection.
Provenance: Unknown
In comparing to Eliasberg, his collection had an assumed graded Choice Proof, Ex: D. C. Clapp; Clapp Collection (1942). Sold by Bowers & Merena 1982, price that realized $60,500.
I wrote about the Liberty Seated Half Dollar series just a few days ago. In case you missed it, this is what said at that time. This series was one of the first that Hansen completed as All-Time Finest (9/11/2017). The set was completed with a rating of 60.85. Today, the rating is 63.29. You can quickly see that in less than two years, this set has increase by about 2.5 points. If I had to guess, it is not final yet, especially with the possible purchase of a new group of coins. He also has the All-Time Finest for the Major Variety set, with only one coin remaining, 1842 “Small Date, Rev of 1839”. To continue, Hansen has the All-Time Finest Proof Series in Basic and Major Varieties. He is missing three proofs, 1839 “Drapery”, 1844, and 1853 “Arrows and Rays”. I think his Collection of Liberty Seated Half Dollars is World-Class.
The significant development since that posting is the purchase of MR. PERFECTION 8A registry set. The set is a high end date set. This purchase increased the set rating by over a half point (0.56) from 63.29 to 63.85. The set now leads the Louis Eliasberg Collection of Seated Liberty Half Dollars by more than 3 points! The set has 23 PCGS Pop 1/0 specimens, and another 27 specimens tied for PCGS finest. To sum that up, 50 of the 113 (44.2%) coins required are either the finest or tied finest! I don’t like to put a count on CAC coins due to fact that we know JB and DLH have not trued up the CAC registry, but as set stands listed today, 68 of 113 coins are designated CAC (60%).
I would like the thank Mr. Perfection for the comments he made earlier. He told us that in December, the set had around 33 upgrades that could help Hansen’s set. The final total that was used to upgrade the set was 27. This is a indication how fast Hansen is upgrading. There were 10 PCGS POP 1/0 specimens (see below) added to Hansen’s already 13. There was another 8 PCGS tied for finest added to Hansen’s 19 finest. All the coins from Perfection are thought to be some of the best eye appeal coins known. Due to time and length, it is not possible to showcase all the coins. I wish I could. I would encourage you to visit the online set and see for yourself the coins that are in The Great Collection.
1850 Liberty Seated Half Dollar PCGS POP 1/0 – Eliasberg-Gardner Specimen
It was not easily choosing only one coin to showcase. The MS67 that I chose is graded below three MS68s, and one MS67+ coin. It is the combination of rarity, beauty, and history that made this coin standout to me. This coin can be traced back for more than a century. The date is a tough one. Comments from expert Ron Guth: Usually, the mintage for a coin struck at the Philadelphia Mint is larger than that of similar-dated coins struck at the subsidiary, or branch, Mints. However, that is not always the case because sometimes the Philadelphia Mint is distracted by other projects. Such was the case in 1850. With large amounts of gold coming in from California, the Philadelphia Mint focused on producing the new $20 gold piece, the new-ish Gold Dollar, and the Quarter Eagle. In that environment, Mint employees at Philadelphia struck only 227,000 Half Dollars -- a record low for that denomination since 1815. As might be expected, the 1850 Half Dollar is scarce in all grades, rare in Mint State, and extremely rare above MS64. The strike quality of this date is inconsistent. We've seen everything from fully struck examples, those that have weak stars or weak talons and feathers on the reverse, and everything in-between. MS63 to MS64 seem to be the typical grades for this date.
The last time this coin appeared in auction was the 2015 Heritage - The Eugene H. Gardner Signature Auction in New York. The auction headline billed the coin as: 1850 Half Dollar, Incredible MS67, Prooflike Superb Gem Business Strike, WB-102, Ex: Eliasberg. The general description of the coin: Fully prooflike throughout the fields including between the shield stripes on the reverse, with frosted devices that contrast strongly with the golden-hued toning. Deep-seated iridescence is visible when viewed at an angle, giving the coin a stunning original-silver patina. Scarce as a date and rare in Gem -- let alone Superb Gem -- condition. There are no significant imperfections visible either in hand or with a glass.
You may remember, I have called these coins break-a-ways. A term first used by someone else that I don’t remember with certainly (Winter maybe). A break-a-way coin separates itself from the other coins (pack). The auctioneer wrote this based on 2015 data, The finest example for the issue by two grade points at either service, with PCGS and NGC each reporting just one MS65 coin and none finer other than this exceptional PCGS coin. While perhaps a half dozen proofs are known, this coin is, in effect, "unique" as a Superb Gem business strike, because it outranks all other examples by such a wide margin.
Also, in the Heritage Commentary, it was note the coin had been miss represented earlier. The fact that David Bowers considered this coin a proof in the Eliasberg sale says volumes about the surface quality and strike of the coin. It is unquestionably the unrivaled, finest-known 1850 half dollar. Dividing lines between proofs and business strikes were indistinct in the 1840s and early 1850s, with dies often pressed into service for business strikes as well as for striking small groups of proofs. A limited number of first strikes following the proof mintage might well retain strong prooflike characteristics similar to those displayed by this coin.
Also, the consignor that I would assume to be Eugene H. Gardner or his representative made this comment: The 0 in the date is lightly recut. The Eliasberg coin, lot 1949, which David Bowers thought to be a proof. I bought it at the auction. No complaints, though, as I agree with PCGS' assessment that this coin is Mint State. Whatever. It is a spectacular example. The finest known of the date, and indeed one of the finest known of any date in the Liberty Seated half No Motto series.
The coin was purchased as part of a lager collection. PCGS Price Guide values the coin at $150,000. The coin is a real national treasure.
Provenance: William M. Friesner Collection - Edouard Frossard 6/1894 - John M. Clapp Collection - John H. Clapp Collection, sold intact in 1942 - Louis E. Eliasberg, Sr. Collection - Bowers & Merena 4/1997:1949, $46,200 - Eugene H. Gardner Collection - Heritage 5/2015:98469, $117,500 - “Perfection 8A” Collection (PCGS Set Registry) – D.L. Hansen purchase 6/2019.
I loved this coin and was not thrilled parting with it. But life and coins go on!
I looked at this coin hundreds of times along with many others. I have five safes in three
locations. Just about every day, I pull out a box of something, sit on the floor in front of a safe
and look at the coins. These havles were a great deal for DLH. Beautiful, rare and so many
upgrades. I do not see what he could buy at this point which could give him 27 upgrades.
It was 33 at the end of last year but in six months DLH purchased six coins. I assume most
we're not CAC so I don't count them.
I also assume DLH will post a second set two soon as he has enough coins. I still have some amazing dupes left as well.
I also still have my PR seated set which I would like to sell. DLH has two so he is probably not too interested. He purchased most of his number one set from Ted Crismor. It was an amazing eye appeal set. I would have beaten if if DLH did not upgrade with non CAC coins.
Lastly, to thank DLH I sent him a special present. It is something I have been working on for years. I can't dilvuge until he gets it.
The D.L. Hansen Collections is honored to announce the privilege of holding the - Legend Collection - created by Laura >Spierber - This honor to protect the lifetime accomplishment of such an iconic woman is my humble privilege.
Her love and care can never be equaled or attained any other. Thank you Laura. You are a true friend and respected artist >of this breathtaking Collection The jewels herein contained have taken my breath away.
@btcollects said:
I think of this as the Brush-Hansen collection.
I think of this as a good point. There are many dealers, agents, and consultants that have put together some very amazing registry sets and many other sets that are not listed in the registry. In some cases, multiple sets for very special clients.
I think when history is made; John Brush will be remembered as being the lead agent/advisor for this very special collection. As I comment few weeks ago, the motivation to assemble a complete US Collection faded away about 40-50 years ago, before Hansen with the help of John Brush revived it. I do think John will be well remembered in history when many of the others fade away.
@washingtonrainbows said:
How many Vice Presidents do you recall from 75 years ago?
I'd remember a lot more if there were some Vice Presidential Dollars
Certainly some are remembered, but I'm surprised by how many are forgotten. I've found it interesting to find tokens from old dealers and numismatists. A lot of the time, the tokens last longer than their fame.
The Early Quarter Eagle set to say that it is difficult, does not completely describe the effort that it will take to complete. It is not just the quarter eagles, but just about across the board, trying to acquire early proof specimens of any grade is difficult. With this upgrade, Hansen now have 845 of the 1145 required coins for a complete registry set from 1801 to 1964. In other words, 300 coins are remaining. Is it possible to collect them all? Probably not. Some of the dates do not have any present PCGS certified specimens, for some dates the validity of proof is in question by PCGS, and others there are just no known samples. I have said this before, if the set can be complete to 99.9%, it would be the greatest proof accomplishment of all-times. Time will tell.
With collecting early proofs, you must remember the three Ps. Not Price, rather Patience, Patience, and Patience. These coins cannot be easily found listed on the internet, or at coin shows. Sometimes they appear in auctions, but in many cases, these coins are bought and sold privately. I think this coin may have been obtained in a private transaction.
This is another Hansen specimen that has risen to the top of the PCGS Condition Census for this date for quarter eagles. With only three known specimens, the competition is not very strong. The finest specimen is believed to be an estimated PR65 that is housed in the National Numismatic Collection at the Smithsonian Institution. The remaining two are this Hansen PR64 specimen and one other PR62 certified by PCGS. Expert David Akers commented: Three proofs are known, including one in the Smithsonian Institution, one owned by John J. Pittman, and the Davies/Niewoehner specimen. The date on the proofs is lower in the field than it is on the regular issues, and there is also a prominent die chip on the neck. On the reverse, the lowest arrowhead is detached from the CA in AMERICA while on the regular issue it barely touches. The right leg of the eagle is weakly struck on the proofs as it is on the proofs of other years in the 1840's.
This coin’s history is very rich and can be traced to the George H. Earle, Jr. Collection that was sold in auction by Henry Chapman around 1912. It remained in the John Jay Pittman Collection from 1956 to 1998. The specimen sold three times in about three years; The last auction was by David Lawrence in 2008. It is not certain what collection or collections the specimen has been part of since 2008. As of the past week, we know it is now in The Great Collection.
In the 2007 Heritage Signature Coin Auction in St. Louis, this description of the coin was provided in the commentary. A small raised pimple on Liberty's neck was in the die, and is a hallmark of 1848 proof quarter eagles, but it is not a pedigree marker for individual specimens. The date is high in the field, with the top of the 1 solidly joined to the bust and the final 8 centered between the neck truncation and the border. When David Akers cataloged this coin as part of the Pittman Collection, he noted that only three positively identified proofs were known to him. In addition to the present coin, he specifically identified the Smithsonian example, and the Woodin-Boyd specimen, later appearing for sale as lot 2669 in Superior's sale of February 1991. A few other examples have been reported over the years, but most such reports were the result of confused or incorrect pedigrees. We cannot improve upon David Akers' description of the physical coin, which we reprint here: "Very sharply struck on the obverse, but weakly struck on the eagle's left leg and on the left and right talons. (This is characteristic of the other known proofs of this date and also most proof quarter eagles of the 1840's). The fields are deeply mirrorlike and have quite a few light hairlines and minor abrasions. They are more evident on the obverse, particularly in the left field, than on the reverse. The edge is sharp and square and has a partial wire rim."
The Auction Record is $99,000 when sold by David Akers in the 1998 John J. Pitman sale. As stated, the coin sold three times between 2006-2008, with realizing price range of $86,250 to $96,600. PCGS Price Guide values the coin at $135,000. If anyone can find more details on this coin, please share.
Provenance: George H. Earle, Jr. Collection - Henry Chapman 6/1912::2541 - Thomas Melish Collection - Abe Kosoff 4/1956:1181 - John Jay Pittman Collection - David Akers 5/1998:1759, $99,000 - Heritage 5/2006:1775 - David Lawrence 1/2008:9016 – D. L. Hansen Collection
In comparing the specimens of Eliasberg’s, I do not believe he ever had an 1848 Quarter Eagle proof specimen.
I assume DLH will start a second set now. It would be nice if he kept the top set all CAC and only include the top eye appeal coins. No one will ever come close to beating this set.
Let’s keep this mind; Hansen is building a Collection of US Coins, not just sets. His collection can and does have several specimens of the same coin. By doing this, his sets can be assemble and re-assemble for the registry as he chooses. From what I have observed, he has so far assembled the coins in his registry sets for the maximum points. Period. Just because the registry set has the coin with the most points, does not necessarily mean that Hansen does not view another coin in his collection that has better appeal to be less desirable than the coin with most points. In Hansen’s Collection, the registry sets are just a grouping of coins, and not the total representation of his collection. For example, all of Perfection’s CAC purchased coins are presently in The Great Collection, regardless if the coins are listed in his top set or not.
Yes, patterns. We have heard a lot of babble the last few months pertaining to patterns. Much of the discussion was along these lines. For Hansen to be a serious collector, he must have patterns. Really it does not matter how great the collection is otherwise, without patterns, this is an omission that cannot be overcome.
How many patterns? Who knows? I guess that maybe it depends on who you ask. We know that Louis Eliasberg had about 200 patterns in his collection. Would this number be enough? Would 200 coins be the measuring stick?
Hansen added two new patterns this week. These are first additions in more than a year. Is this going to become a trend? Not sure. We can watch and see. Presently, Hansen has 27 coins in his collection of patterns. He will need about 175 more to equal Eliasberg.
1836 $1 Restrike PR64
This pattern is a restrike 1836 Christian Gobrecht design silver dollar. These Gobrecht dollars were predecessors to the Seated Liberty Dollars. There is two pages in the Red Book that is dedicated to Golbrecht Dollars (1836-1839). The book describes these coins as: Suspension of silver dollar coinage was lifted in 1831, but it was not until 1835 that steps were taken to resume coinage. Late in that year the Mint director, R.M. Patterson, ordered engraver Christian Gobrecht to prepare a pair of dies based on designs by Thomas Sully and Titian Peale. The first obverse die, dated 1836, bore the seated figure of Liberty on the obverse with the inscription C. GOBRECHT F. (“F.” is an abbreviation for the Latin word Fecit, or “made it”) in the field above the date. On the reverse was a large eagle flying left, surrounded by 26 stars and the legend UNITED STATES OF AMERICA ? ONE DOLLAR ?. It is not known whether coins from these dies were struck at that time. A new obverse die with Gobrecht’s name on the base of Liberty was prepared, and in December 1836, 1,000 coins were struck for circulation. These coins weighed 416 grains, which was the standard enacted in 1792. In January 1837 the standard weight for the dollar was lowered to 412-1/2 grains, and 600 pieces were struck in March 1837 using the dies of 1836. Dies were oriented in a “medal” fashion (top to top when rotated on a vertical axis) to distinguish them from those struck in December 1836. Dollars issued for circulation in 1836, 1837, and 1839 are found with different die alignments. The “original” issue of December 1836 has the normal “coin” orientation (reverse upright when coin is turned on a horizontal axis) with the eagle flying upward. From the late 1850s to the 1870s, the Mint continued to strike Gobrecht dollars to satisfy collector demands. Mules, which had mismatched designs or edge devices, were made in that period and are very rare. Restrikes and mules are seldom seen in worn condition.
Gobrecht dollars, both original issues and restrikes, were made in either coin-turn orientation ↑ &darr (I and III) or medal-turn orientation ↑ &uarr (II and IV), and were struck in four basic die alignments.
Die alignment I: ↑ ↓, head of Liberty opposite DO of DOLLAR, eagle flying upward.
Die alignment II: ↑ ↑, head of Liberty opposite ES of STATES, eagle flying upward.
Die alignment III: ↑ ↓, head of Liberty opposite N of ONE, eagle flying level.
Die alignment IV: ↑ ↑, head of Liberty opposite F of OF, eagle flying level.
Rotated dies are common for original issue and restrike Gobrecht dollars. The 600 coins produced for circulation in March 1837 had dies that rotated from die alignment II to die alignment IV during the striking.
I am not sure if the Red Book is playing into patterns Hansen decided to include in his collection or not. In addition, Hansen has two other 1836 Golbecht Dollars that are considered original. PCGS Price Guide does not provide a value on this coin. The Auction Record is $92,000 for PR65 in a 2004 Heritage Auction.
Provenance: Unknown
In comparison, The Eliasberg Collection coin was a PCGS PR64+. The coin was from the John H. Clapp Collection, sold intact in 1942 to Louis E. Eliasberg, Sr. I believe this coin is presently in the Simpson Collection.
I wonder what the naysayers will say when DLH has as many patterns as Eliasberg and Simpson? Will they find some other fault? Or will they acknowledge him as the greatest collector of all time?
@jerseycat101 said:
I wonder what the naysayers will say when DLH has as many patterns as Eliasberg and Simpson? Will they find some other fault? Are will they acknowledge him as the greatest collector of all time?
I don't know why we are all compelled to name one, and only one "greatest collector of all time." Can't we simply recognize Eliasberg, Hansen, etc., as "great" while keeping our minds open enough to recognize that all of these collections have certain strengths and (fewer) weaknesses?
@jerseycat101 said:
I wonder what the naysayers will say when DLH has as many patterns as Eliasberg and Simpson? Will they find some other fault? Are will they acknowledge him as the greatest collector of all time?
They’ll say “where is your 1913 liberty head nickel? Why is your 1804$1 the worst specimen?”
@jerseycat101 said:
I wonder what the naysayers will say when DLH has as many patterns as Eliasberg and Simpson? Will they find some other fault? Are will they acknowledge him as the greatest collector of all time?
They’ll say “where is your 1913 liberty head nickel? Why is your 1804$1 the worst specimen?”
Before that, they will say "where is your 1933 double eagle?"
To me, the number of patterns doesn't matter as much as having significant patterns. Neither Eliasberg nor Simpson had / have anywhere near a complete set of patterns.
@jerseycat101 said:
I wonder what the naysayers will say when DLH has as many patterns as Eliasberg and Simpson? Will they find some other fault? Are will they acknowledge him as the greatest collector of all time?
They’ll say “where is your 1913 liberty head nickel? Why is your 1804$1 the worst specimen?”
Before that, they will say "where is your 1933 double eagle?"
To me, the number of patterns doesn't matter as much as having significant patterns. Neither Eliasberg nor Simpson had / have anywhere near a complete set of patterns.
Don’t agree with the 1933 DE only one available now not fair to add this one since government confiscated all the others.
To me, it's fair game, especially since Eliasberg had one. If the 1913 Liberty head nickel with 3 available to own now that 2 are owned by museums is fair game, why not the 1933 double eagle with 1 available to own?
I'd say coins that have no specimens legal to own don't need to be included, like the 1964-D Peace dollar, 1974-D aluminum cent and even the 1974 aluminum cent (since we're talking about patterns too). But if 3 to own is good, why not 1 to own?
There is no physical way Delloy will ever have anywhere near the great patterns that BC or Simspon have. Considering between them they own the finest individual pieces, how can any one ever compare? He can not get ANY of the gold Patterns and Mr Simspon owns all the unique coin.
I passed on that Metric dollar. I did NOT like it-yes, I passed on a CAC coin. I just sold another coin he will never get finer-a $1 1839 ORIGINAL Gobrecht in PCGS PR64 CAC. Mr Simspon has the # all time finest Gob collection-all PCSG ALL CAC. There are many unique pieces in this set. Good luck on that one!
@specialist said:
There is no physical way Delloy will ever have anywhere near the great patterns that BC or Simspon have. Considering between them they own the finest individual pieces, how can any one ever compare? He can not get ANY of the gold Patterns and Mr Simspon owns all the unique coin.
I passed on that Metric dollar. I did NOT like it-yes, I passed on a CAC coin. I just sold another coin he will never get finer-a $1 1839 ORIGINAL Gobrecht in PCGS PR64 CAC. Mr Simspon has the # all time finest Gob collection-all PCSG ALL CAC. There are many unique pieces in this set. Good luck on that one!
Its a quality issue folks.
I don’t think Dell Loy needs to “beat” anyone in “patterns” specifically to have the greatest “coin” collection.
@jerseycat101 said:
I wonder what the naysayers will say when DLH has as many patterns as Eliasberg and Simpson? Will they find some other fault? Are will they acknowledge him as the greatest collector of all time?
They’ll say “where is your 1913 liberty head nickel? Why is your 1804$1 the worst specimen?”
Before that, they will say "where is your 1933 double eagle?"
To me, the number of patterns doesn't matter as much as having significant patterns. Neither Eliasberg nor Simpson had / have anywhere near a complete set of patterns.
Don’t agree with the 1933 DE only one available now not fair to add this one since government confiscated all the others.
The other point about the 1933 DE is that John Brush brought it up himself in an earlier discussion where @specialist joked about DLH buying illegal coins. This isn't the minor leagues
@specialist said:
Hey, maybe Delloy has my missing 1893CC BM PR65+ CAC???? Is he buying black market coins now????
I am ONLY kidding-but had to ask!
I still say Delloy needs to do Patterns. If no, can someone explain me why Eliasberg had so many? Trust me, Legend will never lose on Patterns we want or need.
How about a 1933 Saint before the Branch Mint Proof...
In some of these comments and postings, I have a hard time connecting the dots on what is being said and actually what I see Hansen doing. He has stated he is chasing Eliasberg, not everyone else in the collecting community.
The comment about Hansen swims with small and medium size fish but not the whales is only half true. I cannot prove but I don’t think anyone in the big blue sea have spent more on coins in the past three years than Hansen. One or two coin doesn’t make you a whale, the overall results from your purchase power does. I really disagree with the thought that you cannot assemble a great collection without buying the coins that the elitist consider as the “chosen ones”, and by refusing to do so, then that makes your collection somehow inferior. It has been clearly stated that Hansen is not being given the opportunity to purchase many of “elite” coins even if he desired too. So it appear to me from my observation, you must be in the inner circle of a specific numismatics community to have the opportunity to purchase the coins in the inner circle.
I think what impress me as a common collector the most about Hansen and with JB helping are doing, is they are not “hung up” on this “elitist attitude”. Another way to say, they spend much of their time and resources swimming with the small and medium size fish. I don't think that is a bad thing. This is one reason I can relate to him more than I can some of the other “Whales” mention here.
As an example, I find Hansen’s interest in minor varieties as more significant and much more interesting than trying to obtain “Fantasy Coins” that stays more in the hands of dealers than they do in serious collections. When Hansen rolls up his sleeve and actively assemblies an set like this LIBERTY SEATED SERIES COMPLETE SET WITH ALL VARIETIES, CIRCULATION STRIKES (1837-1891), I am more impressed than if he was working on patterns. I am not sure Hansen can complete a set containing all Fivaz-Stanton varieties, but it is pretty interesting watching him try. In the last 6-8 months, he has added to this less popular set at a higher rate than the patterns.
Just my thoughts, obviously there are others that have theirs.
Lol. What you call ‘elitist’, I call 150 years of American numismatic history. I’m not the snob proclaiming those coins as must have treasures...generations of numismatists have already done so.
If you announce you are competing with Eliasberg then you have to do what Eliasberg did - own every American coin
At the end of the day, DLH is collecting for himself. Everyone collects in their own way and, if they are public, are judged that way. Outside observers will have different opinions of the accomplishment, based in part on their own collecting preferences.
Of course there will be disagreements in collecting priorities since everyone has their own preferences. One such disagreement is on CAC which Laura stands behind resolutely while it appears DLH is willing to go with PCGS alone on some coins. Another disagreement seems to be on the 1913 Liberty nickel which TDN has been an avid collector of but may have less stature with DLH. That being said, he's collecting for himself and history will be the judge. To win over Laura, TDN, and others, he may have to change his approach, but it seems that's not a goal, at least so far.
It will be interesting to see how things play out. Part of me wonders if he's enjoying the controversy he's stirring up. After all, it creates more buzz around his collecting.
Another interesting thing about the critique DLH’s collecting approach is receiving is that it’s not coming from people attempting to build complete sets of US coins.
Of course, you could say no one else today is attempting to build such a set, but there may be a different mentality and perspective when building a full set than when having other collecting priorities.
For example, when building a full set, a question can come up whether a rare coin created under special circumstances fits, but when the goal is to buy rare, special circumstance coins, the importance of a coin may change.
Here’s the rub - Eliasberg didn’t have the greatest coin collection ever (insert trumpet blare here). Green, Brand and Farouk (to name a few) were much more extensive....but incomplete. Sooooo...is his goal to beat Eliasberg without being complete to have ONE OF the greatest collections ever (insert trumpet blare here) or is his goal to be complete and better than Eliasberg to have the greatest complete collection ever (insert trumpet blare here)?
I mean I’m sure competing with Eliasberg on a one by one basis is cool ...but doesn’t one have to recognize exactly what Eliasberg accomplished and match that to acclaim oneself as the greatest (complete set) coin collector ever (insert trumpet blare here). And if he wants to acclaim himself the greatest coin collector ever (insert trumpet blare here) then doesn’t he have to compare himself to those other collectors, not Eliasberg?
I really look forward to reading this thread each day, but I have to admit I'm both lost and lazy. Mr. Hansen has been interviewed and he is represented. Has he publicly disclosed his goals? Are they evolving? If we're going to watch this like a sporting event, we need to know the score.
Comments
I am sure she is against it. I think Mr. Forsythe purchased the 1895 at the last Legend Sale for 74K. I assume he had a bidding war with DLH. To me the price is nuts. The coin was not CAC and therefore probably a very nice 67.
However it is not included in his set at this time. I assume he has it for insurance in case anyone gets close to his score.
(impossible) (unless PCGS create 68's where there are none. )
CAUTION: LAURA, PLEASE DON’T LOOK!
https://www.pcgs.com/setregistry/u-s-coins/two-three-cents/three-cent-silvers-major-varieties-1851-proof-1873/album/164127
Everyone, this is set that Laura referenced. It is truly a beautiful set of proofs. The Type III portion of the set has been nominated for PCGS Set Registry Award- Favorite Digital Album. Let’s all vote to push her set over the finish line.
View the set nominated:
https://www.pcgs.com/setregistry/album/157268
Link to vote:
https://forums.collectors.com/discussion/1020770/pcgs-set-registry-awards-vote-for-your-favorite-digital-album#latest
I am not sure how the nomination is done, but the whole set should have been nominated.
My 20th Century Gold Major Design Type Set ---started : 11/17/1997 ---- completed : 1/21/2004
@Perfection said:
It is very difficult to build a number one set with ALL CAC coins. Does anyone know of any except for mine?
Mountain Home Collection
1880 Proof Set with Gold-All CAC-Retired
1891 Proof Set with Gold-All CAC-Retired
End Systemic Elitism - It Takes All Of Us
He added some top pop C-N clad (1965-98) Washington Quarters to his comprehensive collection of United States coinage.
I guess I shouldn't be concerned about Laura misspelling Dell Loy's name anymore:
Beautiful Hansen-Sperber coins:
I take the hint. His loss. I have built unquestionably many of todays finest collections. Delloy gets no more from me.
To me the sets I built for others are all my pride and joys. Yes, I am spoiled "artest"
Hey look, the guy is driving me batty, BUT he in my small mind ONE OF THE greatest Collectors.
I wouldn’t read anything into that as there may be no hint. It could be the same as your misspelling of his name.
Numismatics: The Enduring Brotherhood.
The Little Sister / Quarter Eagle New Addition
This coin is a new addition to D. L. Hansen Collection. The U.S. Coins Complete Basic Set, Proof (1801-1964) is an 1145 coin set. The Hansen collection has about 300 coins remaining, so the set is approx. 75% completed. PCGS describes the set as: Every basic classic U.S. coin in Proof from 1801 through 1964, this set is the ultimate challenge. A collection of this size could take years to assemble in high grade. Hansen has been working on his collection for a little less than three years which is not bad results. This gold proof coin is a condition census 1875 Quarter Eagle. I called this coin the little sister of the four Liberty Head gold coins, quarter, half, full, and double eagles. The last coin needed for the set to be complete is the big sister Double Eagle. I will talk about her later this week.
1875 Quarter Eagle, DCAM PR65+ DCAM - Spectacular Deep Cameo Example
This specimen was purchased in last week’s Heritage Auction. The coin has a reported mintage of 20. Expert David Akers described the coin as: I would estimate that no more than half the original mintage of 20 pieces still exists in unimpaired state. Impaired proofs are readily identifiable from business strikes by the significant difference in the position of the date. On the proofs, the date is high in the field and the 5 nearly touches the bust. On the business strikes, however, the date is lower in the field and the 5 is distant from the bust. The Ullmer coin and the Wolfson coin were both erroneously catalogued as proofs when they were, in fact, business strikes.
The coin certainly fulfills its billing of being spectacular. In Heritage 2019 Long Beach Expo Signature Auction, the coin’s header description read: 1875 Liberty Quarter Eagle, PR65+ Deep Cameo Example - Classic Gold Rarity, 20 Examples Struck. The coin last appeared in the Heritage 2011 FUN Signature Auction. The coin was 1875 Quarter Eagle, PR64 Cameo with a CAC sticker that sold for $47,293. The description from last week's auction: The 1875 quarter eagle is a legendary rarity in the 19th century U.S. gold series. Collectors interested in the Coronet series are well aware of this date's rarity, whether as a circulation strike or a proof. Only 400 business strikes were produced plus another 20 proofs. Survivors in both formats are predictably low. Probably two dozen or more business strikes are extant today, a number greater than most estimates, but we know one collector who hoarded this date and 23 years ago had 18 pieces. Proofs are another matter and probably only 16 or so examples are believed extant today, including one held in the Smithsonian Institution and another in the ANS. With only 400 circulation strikes minted, all are essentially first strikes and almost all high-grade examples retain significant die polish in the fields and many resemble proofs. Confusion between business strikes and proofs was a problem years ago, but today diagnostics are known for each and prooflike circulation strikes are no longer called proofs and dull proofs are not confused with business strikes. On proof strikings the date is higher than on business strikes and the 5 nearly touches the bust. Each side of this magnificent rarity shows even reddish-gold color. The surfaces are lightly hairlined, but the only pedigree identifiers we see are a few lint marks near star 3. The sharply detailed, frosty design elements contrast profoundly with the deeply mirrored fields to create an intense cameo effect. While several high-grade proofs are known of the 1875 quarter eagle, they are infrequently offered at public auction. This particular coin was in a foreign collection for several decades before 2011 and it is likely that it is relatively unknown to the present generation of rare gold collectors. This is a rare opportunity to acquire one of the classics in the proof quarter eagle series. Population: 2 in 65 (2 in 65+) Deep Cameo, 1 finer (4/19).
The PCGS Price Guide places the value of the coin at $135,000. The coin realized $108,000 in auction. You be the judge if Hansen got a deal on the purchase. Either way, you have to love this coin.
Provenance: European Collection; FUN Signature (Heritage, 1/2011), lot 5036
In comparing to Eliasberg, his collection had an assumed graded Choice Proof, Ex: Mills Collection; Chapman (1904); Clapp Collection (1942). Sold by Bowers & Merena 1982, price that realized $18,700.
1875 Quarter Eagle, DCAM PR65+ DCAM (PCGS Gold Shield)
Certification #36543288 / PCGS #97901 / PCGS POP 2/2
PCGS Coin Value Guide Price: $135,000
My 20th Century Gold Major Design Type Set ---started : 11/17/1997 ---- completed : 1/21/2004
It is now official. Hansen did purchase Mr. Perfection’s LIBERTY SEATED HALF DOLLARS DATE SET, CIRCULATION STRIKES (1839-1891) set. It was a guess on my part; I finally guessed one right! If my count is correct, this is the 6th set Hansen has purchased from Mr. Perfection. As many of you know Mr. Perfection from the forum, his sets are entirely CAC coins. It is nice to see the best of these handpicked top pop coins are ending up in The Great Collection.
This is the second set that Mr. Perfection has sold in the past couple of months. The other one was his high end Liberty Head proof set that was purchased by Gerald Forsyth. I hope Mr. Perfection will be able to drop in and say a few words. Maybe he can share what he is working on and his next endeavor. I remember him saying that he is still purchasing high grade CAC coins, but just no longer building sets. Over the years he has assembled some very nice registry sets. I hope to see more in the coming months and years.
I will plan an update highlighting this purchase in the next couple days.
My 20th Century Gold Major Design Type Set ---started : 11/17/1997 ---- completed : 1/21/2004
We have been working on a sale for many months. JB. is a very tough negotiator!
Once a I make a decision to sell something I like to get it done. I lost money on this set but so be it. Would I have realized more selling it in action after the fees and the bp? Who knows!
This purchase was a must for DLH. When we started talking about it in December the set had around 33 upgrades for DLH. All CAC of course. I think it would be difficult if not impossible for
DLH to buy a set with this many upgrades. Many of the coins were acquired eight to ten
years ago.
Seated halves are great coins. They have been soft for the last few years. For some reason Seated never developed the collector base that Bust enjoys.
I assume DLH will start a second set now. It would be nice if he kept the top set all CAC and only include the top eye appeal coins. No one will ever come close to beating this set.
.
...........which to me is odd as they are more relevant to our developmental history than the "early" issues.
???
also.... they weren't stored in quantity as reserve bullion so the available coins are mostly coins used in commerce.
One thing is that CBHs just look much older than the Seated coins which were steam press struck.
The Big Sister / Double Eagle New Proof Addition
As promised, this is the big sister to the pretty little quarter eagle that I posted Tuesday. This is a beauty by all accounts. I talked some about Hansen’s Proof Collection Tuesday. I will focus this discussion on the new 1875 Proof Set. Hansen purchased the quarter eagle in the Heritage 2019 Long Beach Expo last week and the double eagle came from a private transaction. With the purchase of the quarter and double eagles, Hansen has completed the Proofs for year of 1875.
The 1875 Proof set is difficult. For this date, this is what John Brush had to say: We bought the 1875 Proof $2.5 in the Heritage sale on Thursday night and followed it up with purchasing an 1875 Proof $20. It's a great date that's under-appreciated. The proof set with gold requires 14 coins. Hansen has the complete set starting with PR65CAM 20-cent piece, and ending with pair of PR67 coins. Hansen GPA for the set is PR66, and of course, he has the All-Time Finest registry set. The set contains two PCGS POP 2/0 specimens, and this last Double Eagle addition is the only PCGS POP 1/0.
https://www.pcgs.com/setregistry/u-s-coins/proof-sets/1875-proof-set-gold/alltimeset/190826
1875 Double Eagle, DCAM PR64+ DCAM
This 1875 Double Eagle Proof is a rare lady. The Mintage for the date is given to be 20. David Akers comments: Proofs of this date are extremely rare. Only seven or eight still exist. Assuming no duplicates, the pop report indicates 6 have been certified by PCGS. Only two of them are DCAM, one PR66DCAM and Hansen’s PR66+DCAM specimen.
John Brush comments on the specimen: The $20 is AMAZING and is fresh to the market from a private collection. It is not often this coin appear in auction. According to PCGS auction site, 1875 Double Eagle Proof has appeared in auction 12 times since 1981. This a little less than once every three years! The auction record for an 1875 Double Eagle Proof is $166,750 for an uncertified CH PR (64) that sold in a Stack’s Laurence H. Gardner Auction in 2005. It is possible that Hansen coin could be the Gardner specimen, but I don’t know for sure. Any help someone can give on the provenance would be appreciated.
I believe this to be a recently certified coin. The coin is not on Coin Facts Condition Census report yet. Also, PCGS Price Guide has not placed a value on the coin. The PR64DCAM is valued at $180,000. I am not sure how the value of the POP 1/0 could be determined. The coin is truly amazing and a prominent addition to The Great Collection.
Provenance: Unknown
In comparing to Eliasberg, his collection had an assumed graded Choice Proof, Ex: D. C. Clapp; Clapp Collection (1942). Sold by Bowers & Merena 1982, price that realized $60,500.
1875 Double Eagle, DCAM PR64+ DCAM (PCGS Gold Shield)
Certification #37234202/ PCGS #99090 / PCGS POP 1/0
My 20th Century Gold Major Design Type Set ---started : 11/17/1997 ---- completed : 1/21/2004
I'd be excited too!
Amazing Liberty Seated Half Dollar Purchase
I wrote about the Liberty Seated Half Dollar series just a few days ago. In case you missed it, this is what said at that time. This series was one of the first that Hansen completed as All-Time Finest (9/11/2017). The set was completed with a rating of 60.85. Today, the rating is 63.29. You can quickly see that in less than two years, this set has increase by about 2.5 points. If I had to guess, it is not final yet, especially with the possible purchase of a new group of coins. He also has the All-Time Finest for the Major Variety set, with only one coin remaining, 1842 “Small Date, Rev of 1839”. To continue, Hansen has the All-Time Finest Proof Series in Basic and Major Varieties. He is missing three proofs, 1839 “Drapery”, 1844, and 1853 “Arrows and Rays”. I think his Collection of Liberty Seated Half Dollars is World-Class.
The significant development since that posting is the purchase of MR. PERFECTION 8A registry set. The set is a high end date set. This purchase increased the set rating by over a half point (0.56) from 63.29 to 63.85. The set now leads the Louis Eliasberg Collection of Seated Liberty Half Dollars by more than 3 points! The set has 23 PCGS Pop 1/0 specimens, and another 27 specimens tied for PCGS finest. To sum that up, 50 of the 113 (44.2%) coins required are either the finest or tied finest! I don’t like to put a count on CAC coins due to fact that we know JB and DLH have not trued up the CAC registry, but as set stands listed today, 68 of 113 coins are designated CAC (60%).
https://www.pcgs.com/setregistry/half-dollars/liberty-seated-half-dollars-major-sets/liberty-seated-half-dollars-basic-set-circulation-strikes-1839-1891/alltimeset/151261
MR. PERFECTION 8A
I would like the thank Mr. Perfection for the comments he made earlier. He told us that in December, the set had around 33 upgrades that could help Hansen’s set. The final total that was used to upgrade the set was 27. This is a indication how fast Hansen is upgrading. There were 10 PCGS POP 1/0 specimens (see below) added to Hansen’s already 13. There was another 8 PCGS tied for finest added to Hansen’s 19 finest. All the coins from Perfection are thought to be some of the best eye appeal coins known. Due to time and length, it is not possible to showcase all the coins. I wish I could. I would encourage you to visit the online set and see for yourself the coins that are in The Great Collection.
1850 Liberty Seated Half Dollar PCGS POP 1/0 – Eliasberg-Gardner Specimen
It was not easily choosing only one coin to showcase. The MS67 that I chose is graded below three MS68s, and one MS67+ coin. It is the combination of rarity, beauty, and history that made this coin standout to me. This coin can be traced back for more than a century. The date is a tough one. Comments from expert Ron Guth: Usually, the mintage for a coin struck at the Philadelphia Mint is larger than that of similar-dated coins struck at the subsidiary, or branch, Mints. However, that is not always the case because sometimes the Philadelphia Mint is distracted by other projects. Such was the case in 1850. With large amounts of gold coming in from California, the Philadelphia Mint focused on producing the new $20 gold piece, the new-ish Gold Dollar, and the Quarter Eagle. In that environment, Mint employees at Philadelphia struck only 227,000 Half Dollars -- a record low for that denomination since 1815. As might be expected, the 1850 Half Dollar is scarce in all grades, rare in Mint State, and extremely rare above MS64. The strike quality of this date is inconsistent. We've seen everything from fully struck examples, those that have weak stars or weak talons and feathers on the reverse, and everything in-between. MS63 to MS64 seem to be the typical grades for this date.
The last time this coin appeared in auction was the 2015 Heritage - The Eugene H. Gardner Signature Auction in New York. The auction headline billed the coin as: 1850 Half Dollar, Incredible MS67, Prooflike Superb Gem Business Strike, WB-102, Ex: Eliasberg. The general description of the coin: Fully prooflike throughout the fields including between the shield stripes on the reverse, with frosted devices that contrast strongly with the golden-hued toning. Deep-seated iridescence is visible when viewed at an angle, giving the coin a stunning original-silver patina. Scarce as a date and rare in Gem -- let alone Superb Gem -- condition. There are no significant imperfections visible either in hand or with a glass.
You may remember, I have called these coins break-a-ways. A term first used by someone else that I don’t remember with certainly (Winter maybe). A break-a-way coin separates itself from the other coins (pack). The auctioneer wrote this based on 2015 data, The finest example for the issue by two grade points at either service, with PCGS and NGC each reporting just one MS65 coin and none finer other than this exceptional PCGS coin. While perhaps a half dozen proofs are known, this coin is, in effect, "unique" as a Superb Gem business strike, because it outranks all other examples by such a wide margin.
Also, in the Heritage Commentary, it was note the coin had been miss represented earlier. The fact that David Bowers considered this coin a proof in the Eliasberg sale says volumes about the surface quality and strike of the coin. It is unquestionably the unrivaled, finest-known 1850 half dollar. Dividing lines between proofs and business strikes were indistinct in the 1840s and early 1850s, with dies often pressed into service for business strikes as well as for striking small groups of proofs. A limited number of first strikes following the proof mintage might well retain strong prooflike characteristics similar to those displayed by this coin.
Also, the consignor that I would assume to be Eugene H. Gardner or his representative made this comment: The 0 in the date is lightly recut. The Eliasberg coin, lot 1949, which David Bowers thought to be a proof. I bought it at the auction. No complaints, though, as I agree with PCGS' assessment that this coin is Mint State. Whatever. It is a spectacular example. The finest known of the date, and indeed one of the finest known of any date in the Liberty Seated half No Motto series.
The coin was purchased as part of a lager collection. PCGS Price Guide values the coin at $150,000. The coin is a real national treasure.
Provenance: William M. Friesner Collection - Edouard Frossard 6/1894 - John M. Clapp Collection - John H. Clapp Collection, sold intact in 1942 - Louis E. Eliasberg, Sr. Collection - Bowers & Merena 4/1997:1949, $46,200 - Eugene H. Gardner Collection - Heritage 5/2015:98469, $117,500 - “Perfection 8A” Collection (PCGS Set Registry) – D.L. Hansen purchase 6/2019.
1850 Liberty Seated Half Dollar MS67 (Gold Shield)
Certification #25628887, PCGS #6264, CAC
PCGS Price Guide Value: $150,000
Ex: Friesner- Eliasberg-Gardner-Perfection
My 20th Century Gold Major Design Type Set ---started : 11/17/1997 ---- completed : 1/21/2004
I loved this coin and was not thrilled parting with it. But life and coins go on!
I looked at this coin hundreds of times along with many others. I have five safes in three
locations. Just about every day, I pull out a box of something, sit on the floor in front of a safe
and look at the coins. These havles were a great deal for DLH. Beautiful, rare and so many
upgrades. I do not see what he could buy at this point which could give him 27 upgrades.
It was 33 at the end of last year but in six months DLH purchased six coins. I assume most
we're not CAC so I don't count them.
I also assume DLH will post a second set two soon as he has enough coins. I still have some amazing dupes left as well.
I also still have my PR seated set which I would like to sell. DLH has two so he is probably not too interested. He purchased most of his number one set from Ted Crismor. It was an amazing eye appeal set. I would have beaten if if DLH did not upgrade with non CAC coins.
Lastly, to thank DLH I sent him a special present. It is something I have been working on for years. I can't dilvuge until he gets it.
Have a nice day!
Interesting credit on the inside of the 3c album.
My Saint Set
Nobody builds better coin sets than Laura
But, alas, she is now a lady of leisure and there must be a new candidate.
I think of this as a good point. There are many dealers, agents, and consultants that have put together some very amazing registry sets and many other sets that are not listed in the registry. In some cases, multiple sets for very special clients.
I think when history is made; John Brush will be remembered as being the lead agent/advisor for this very special collection. As I comment few weeks ago, the motivation to assemble a complete US Collection faded away about 40-50 years ago, before Hansen with the help of John Brush revived it. I do think John will be well remembered in history when many of the others fade away.
My 20th Century Gold Major Design Type Set ---started : 11/17/1997 ---- completed : 1/21/2004
If he makes good decisions, sure.
If he keeps it up he’ll be remembered. How many people remember Richmond?
I'd remember a lot more if there were some Vice Presidential Dollars
Certainly some are remembered, but I'm surprised by how many are forgotten. I've found it interesting to find tokens from old dealers and numismatists. A lot of the time, the tokens last longer than their fame.
Early Proof Quarter Eagle
The Early Quarter Eagle set to say that it is difficult, does not completely describe the effort that it will take to complete. It is not just the quarter eagles, but just about across the board, trying to acquire early proof specimens of any grade is difficult. With this upgrade, Hansen now have 845 of the 1145 required coins for a complete registry set from 1801 to 1964. In other words, 300 coins are remaining. Is it possible to collect them all? Probably not. Some of the dates do not have any present PCGS certified specimens, for some dates the validity of proof is in question by PCGS, and others there are just no known samples. I have said this before, if the set can be complete to 99.9%, it would be the greatest proof accomplishment of all-times. Time will tell.
With collecting early proofs, you must remember the three Ps. Not Price, rather Patience, Patience, and Patience. These coins cannot be easily found listed on the internet, or at coin shows. Sometimes they appear in auctions, but in many cases, these coins are bought and sold privately. I think this coin may have been obtained in a private transaction.
1848 Quarter Eagle PR64 – Ex: Pittman - Finest PCGS POP 1/0 – CAC
This is another Hansen specimen that has risen to the top of the PCGS Condition Census for this date for quarter eagles. With only three known specimens, the competition is not very strong. The finest specimen is believed to be an estimated PR65 that is housed in the National Numismatic Collection at the Smithsonian Institution. The remaining two are this Hansen PR64 specimen and one other PR62 certified by PCGS. Expert David Akers commented: Three proofs are known, including one in the Smithsonian Institution, one owned by John J. Pittman, and the Davies/Niewoehner specimen. The date on the proofs is lower in the field than it is on the regular issues, and there is also a prominent die chip on the neck. On the reverse, the lowest arrowhead is detached from the CA in AMERICA while on the regular issue it barely touches. The right leg of the eagle is weakly struck on the proofs as it is on the proofs of other years in the 1840's.
This coin’s history is very rich and can be traced to the George H. Earle, Jr. Collection that was sold in auction by Henry Chapman around 1912. It remained in the John Jay Pittman Collection from 1956 to 1998. The specimen sold three times in about three years; The last auction was by David Lawrence in 2008. It is not certain what collection or collections the specimen has been part of since 2008. As of the past week, we know it is now in The Great Collection.
In the 2007 Heritage Signature Coin Auction in St. Louis, this description of the coin was provided in the commentary. A small raised pimple on Liberty's neck was in the die, and is a hallmark of 1848 proof quarter eagles, but it is not a pedigree marker for individual specimens. The date is high in the field, with the top of the 1 solidly joined to the bust and the final 8 centered between the neck truncation and the border. When David Akers cataloged this coin as part of the Pittman Collection, he noted that only three positively identified proofs were known to him. In addition to the present coin, he specifically identified the Smithsonian example, and the Woodin-Boyd specimen, later appearing for sale as lot 2669 in Superior's sale of February 1991. A few other examples have been reported over the years, but most such reports were the result of confused or incorrect pedigrees. We cannot improve upon David Akers' description of the physical coin, which we reprint here: "Very sharply struck on the obverse, but weakly struck on the eagle's left leg and on the left and right talons. (This is characteristic of the other known proofs of this date and also most proof quarter eagles of the 1840's). The fields are deeply mirrorlike and have quite a few light hairlines and minor abrasions. They are more evident on the obverse, particularly in the left field, than on the reverse. The edge is sharp and square and has a partial wire rim."
The Auction Record is $99,000 when sold by David Akers in the 1998 John J. Pitman sale. As stated, the coin sold three times between 2006-2008, with realizing price range of $86,250 to $96,600. PCGS Price Guide values the coin at $135,000. If anyone can find more details on this coin, please share.
Provenance: George H. Earle, Jr. Collection - Henry Chapman 6/1912::2541 - Thomas Melish Collection - Abe Kosoff 4/1956:1181 - John Jay Pittman Collection - David Akers 5/1998:1759, $99,000 - Heritage 5/2006:1775 - David Lawrence 1/2008:9016 – D. L. Hansen Collection
In comparing the specimens of Eliasberg’s, I do not believe he ever had an 1848 Quarter Eagle proof specimen.
1848 Quarter Eagle PR64 - CAC
Certification #04983579, PCGS #7874, PCGS POP 1/0
PCGS Coin Guide Value: $135,000
Ex: Pittman
My 20th Century Gold Major Design Type Set ---started : 11/17/1997 ---- completed : 1/21/2004
Let’s keep this mind; Hansen is building a Collection of US Coins, not just sets. His collection can and does have several specimens of the same coin. By doing this, his sets can be assemble and re-assemble for the registry as he chooses. From what I have observed, he has so far assembled the coins in his registry sets for the maximum points. Period. Just because the registry set has the coin with the most points, does not necessarily mean that Hansen does not view another coin in his collection that has better appeal to be less desirable than the coin with most points. In Hansen’s Collection, the registry sets are just a grouping of coins, and not the total representation of his collection. For example, all of Perfection’s CAC purchased coins are presently in The Great Collection, regardless if the coins are listed in his top set or not.
My 20th Century Gold Major Design Type Set ---started : 11/17/1997 ---- completed : 1/21/2004
Patterns
Yes, patterns. We have heard a lot of babble the last few months pertaining to patterns. Much of the discussion was along these lines. For Hansen to be a serious collector, he must have patterns. Really it does not matter how great the collection is otherwise, without patterns, this is an omission that cannot be overcome.
How many patterns? Who knows? I guess that maybe it depends on who you ask. We know that Louis Eliasberg had about 200 patterns in his collection. Would this number be enough? Would 200 coins be the measuring stick?
Hansen added two new patterns this week. These are first additions in more than a year. Is this going to become a trend? Not sure. We can watch and see. Presently, Hansen has 27 coins in his collection of patterns. He will need about 175 more to equal Eliasberg.
1836 $1 Restrike PR64
This pattern is a restrike 1836 Christian Gobrecht design silver dollar. These Gobrecht dollars were predecessors to the Seated Liberty Dollars. There is two pages in the Red Book that is dedicated to Golbrecht Dollars (1836-1839). The book describes these coins as: Suspension of silver dollar coinage was lifted in 1831, but it was not until 1835 that steps were taken to resume coinage. Late in that year the Mint director, R.M. Patterson, ordered engraver Christian Gobrecht to prepare a pair of dies based on designs by Thomas Sully and Titian Peale. The first obverse die, dated 1836, bore the seated figure of Liberty on the obverse with the inscription C. GOBRECHT F. (“F.” is an abbreviation for the Latin word Fecit, or “made it”) in the field above the date. On the reverse was a large eagle flying left, surrounded by 26 stars and the legend UNITED STATES OF AMERICA ? ONE DOLLAR ?. It is not known whether coins from these dies were struck at that time. A new obverse die with Gobrecht’s name on the base of Liberty was prepared, and in December 1836, 1,000 coins were struck for circulation. These coins weighed 416 grains, which was the standard enacted in 1792. In January 1837 the standard weight for the dollar was lowered to 412-1/2 grains, and 600 pieces were struck in March 1837 using the dies of 1836. Dies were oriented in a “medal” fashion (top to top when rotated on a vertical axis) to distinguish them from those struck in December 1836. Dollars issued for circulation in 1836, 1837, and 1839 are found with different die alignments. The “original” issue of December 1836 has the normal “coin” orientation (reverse upright when coin is turned on a horizontal axis) with the eagle flying upward. From the late 1850s to the 1870s, the Mint continued to strike Gobrecht dollars to satisfy collector demands. Mules, which had mismatched designs or edge devices, were made in that period and are very rare. Restrikes and mules are seldom seen in worn condition.
Gobrecht dollars, both original issues and restrikes, were made in either coin-turn orientation ↑ &darr (I and III) or medal-turn orientation ↑ &uarr (II and IV), and were struck in four basic die alignments.
Die alignment I: ↑ ↓, head of Liberty opposite DO of DOLLAR, eagle flying upward.
Die alignment II: ↑ ↑, head of Liberty opposite ES of STATES, eagle flying upward.
Die alignment III: ↑ ↓, head of Liberty opposite N of ONE, eagle flying level.
Die alignment IV: ↑ ↑, head of Liberty opposite F of OF, eagle flying level.
Rotated dies are common for original issue and restrike Gobrecht dollars. The 600 coins produced for circulation in March 1837 had dies that rotated from die alignment II to die alignment IV during the striking.
I am not sure if the Red Book is playing into patterns Hansen decided to include in his collection or not. In addition, Hansen has two other 1836 Golbecht Dollars that are considered original. PCGS Price Guide does not provide a value on this coin. The Auction Record is $92,000 for PR65 in a 2004 Heritage Auction.
Provenance: Unknown
In comparison, The Eliasberg Collection coin was a PCGS PR64+. The coin was from the John H. Clapp Collection, sold intact in 1942 to Louis E. Eliasberg, Sr. I believe this coin is presently in the Simpson Collection.
1836 Golbecht Dollars J-60 Restrike PR64, POP 8/2
Certification #81471208, PCGS #11227
The second pattern added:
1880 Metric Dollar J-1645, CAM PR64CA, POP 1/1
Certification #84715404, PCGS #506880
Sorry, No Pictures Available Today
My 20th Century Gold Major Design Type Set ---started : 11/17/1997 ---- completed : 1/21/2004
I wonder what the naysayers will say when DLH has as many patterns as Eliasberg and Simpson? Will they find some other fault? Or will they acknowledge him as the greatest collector of all time?
I don't know why we are all compelled to name one, and only one "greatest collector of all time." Can't we simply recognize Eliasberg, Hansen, etc., as "great" while keeping our minds open enough to recognize that all of these collections have certain strengths and (fewer) weaknesses?
They’ll say “where is your 1913 liberty head nickel? Why is your 1804$1 the worst specimen?”
Before that, they will say "where is your 1933 double eagle?"
To me, the number of patterns doesn't matter as much as having significant patterns. Neither Eliasberg nor Simpson had / have anywhere near a complete set of patterns.
To me, it's fair game, especially since Eliasberg had one. If the 1913 Liberty head nickel with 3 available to own now that 2 are owned by museums is fair game, why not the 1933 double eagle with 1 available to own?
I'd say coins that have no specimens legal to own don't need to be included, like the 1964-D Peace dollar, 1974-D aluminum cent and even the 1974 aluminum cent (since we're talking about patterns too). But if 3 to own is good, why not 1 to own?
Presently, Hansen has 27 coins in his collection of patterns. He will need about 175 more to equal Eliasberg.
Currin, When you say DLH has "27 patterns," your reference is the PCGS registry, correct? Or, do you have other references?
There is no physical way Delloy will ever have anywhere near the great patterns that BC or Simspon have. Considering between them they own the finest individual pieces, how can any one ever compare? He can not get ANY of the gold Patterns and Mr Simspon owns all the unique coin.
I passed on that Metric dollar. I did NOT like it-yes, I passed on a CAC coin. I just sold another coin he will never get finer-a $1 1839 ORIGINAL Gobrecht in PCGS PR64 CAC. Mr Simspon has the # all time finest Gob collection-all PCSG ALL CAC. There are many unique pieces in this set. Good luck on that one!
Its a quality issue folks.
I don’t think Dell Loy needs to “beat” anyone in “patterns” specifically to have the greatest “coin” collection.
The other point about the 1933 DE is that John Brush brought it up himself in an earlier discussion where @specialist joked about DLH buying illegal coins. This isn't the minor leagues
In some of these comments and postings, I have a hard time connecting the dots on what is being said and actually what I see Hansen doing. He has stated he is chasing Eliasberg, not everyone else in the collecting community.
The comment about Hansen swims with small and medium size fish but not the whales is only half true. I cannot prove but I don’t think anyone in the big blue sea have spent more on coins in the past three years than Hansen. One or two coin doesn’t make you a whale, the overall results from your purchase power does. I really disagree with the thought that you cannot assemble a great collection without buying the coins that the elitist consider as the “chosen ones”, and by refusing to do so, then that makes your collection somehow inferior. It has been clearly stated that Hansen is not being given the opportunity to purchase many of “elite” coins even if he desired too. So it appear to me from my observation, you must be in the inner circle of a specific numismatics community to have the opportunity to purchase the coins in the inner circle.
I think what impress me as a common collector the most about Hansen and with JB helping are doing, is they are not “hung up” on this “elitist attitude”. Another way to say, they spend much of their time and resources swimming with the small and medium size fish. I don't think that is a bad thing. This is one reason I can relate to him more than I can some of the other “Whales” mention here.
As an example, I find Hansen’s interest in minor varieties as more significant and much more interesting than trying to obtain “Fantasy Coins” that stays more in the hands of dealers than they do in serious collections. When Hansen rolls up his sleeve and actively assemblies an set like this LIBERTY SEATED SERIES COMPLETE SET WITH ALL VARIETIES, CIRCULATION STRIKES (1837-1891), I am more impressed than if he was working on patterns. I am not sure Hansen can complete a set containing all Fivaz-Stanton varieties, but it is pretty interesting watching him try. In the last 6-8 months, he has added to this less popular set at a higher rate than the patterns.
Just my thoughts, obviously there are others that have theirs.
https://www.pcgs.com/setregistry/complete-sets/complete-sets-by-series/liberty-seated-series-complete-set-all-varieties-circulation-strikes-1837-1891/6389
My 20th Century Gold Major Design Type Set ---started : 11/17/1997 ---- completed : 1/21/2004
Lol. What you call ‘elitist’, I call 150 years of American numismatic history. I’m not the snob proclaiming those coins as must have treasures...generations of numismatists have already done so.
If you announce you are competing with Eliasberg then you have to do what Eliasberg did - own every American coin
It may soon be necessary to see who weighs more than a duck.
x> @tradedollarnut said:
Or else what?
Doggedly collecting coins of the Central American Republic.
Visit the Society of US Pattern Collectors at USPatterns.com.
Or else nadder nadder gromish gromish
At the end of the day, DLH is collecting for himself. Everyone collects in their own way and, if they are public, are judged that way. Outside observers will have different opinions of the accomplishment, based in part on their own collecting preferences.
Of course there will be disagreements in collecting priorities since everyone has their own preferences. One such disagreement is on CAC which Laura stands behind resolutely while it appears DLH is willing to go with PCGS alone on some coins. Another disagreement seems to be on the 1913 Liberty nickel which TDN has been an avid collector of but may have less stature with DLH. That being said, he's collecting for himself and history will be the judge. To win over Laura, TDN, and others, he may have to change his approach, but it seems that's not a goal, at least so far.
It will be interesting to see how things play out. Part of me wonders if he's enjoying the controversy he's stirring up. After all, it creates more buzz around his collecting.
I believe the thrill of the hunt and the registry competition are also motivators...
Agree but it appears he’s doing that based on his own desires as well since he’s doing this in the face of heavy criticism.
Or he's saying he doesn't need a coin that most would obviously assume he needs so that he can avoid being beaten up on price.
Another interesting thing about the critique DLH’s collecting approach is receiving is that it’s not coming from people attempting to build complete sets of US coins.
Of course, you could say no one else today is attempting to build such a set, but there may be a different mentality and perspective when building a full set than when having other collecting priorities.
For example, when building a full set, a question can come up whether a rare coin created under special circumstances fits, but when the goal is to buy rare, special circumstance coins, the importance of a coin may change.
Here’s the rub - Eliasberg didn’t have the greatest coin collection ever (insert trumpet blare here). Green, Brand and Farouk (to name a few) were much more extensive....but incomplete. Sooooo...is his goal to beat Eliasberg without being complete to have ONE OF the greatest collections ever (insert trumpet blare here) or is his goal to be complete and better than Eliasberg to have the greatest complete collection ever (insert trumpet blare here)?
I mean I’m sure competing with Eliasberg on a one by one basis is cool ...but doesn’t one have to recognize exactly what Eliasberg accomplished and match that to acclaim oneself as the greatest (complete set) coin collector ever (insert trumpet blare here). And if he wants to acclaim himself the greatest coin collector ever (insert trumpet blare here) then doesn’t he have to compare himself to those other collectors, not Eliasberg?
I really look forward to reading this thread each day, but I have to admit I'm both lost and lazy. Mr. Hansen has been interviewed and he is represented. Has he publicly disclosed his goals? Are they evolving? If we're going to watch this like a sporting event, we need to know the score.
P.S. And what sport we're watching.